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Unwilling to start after a long break, who knows!

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Hawke
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PostPosted: 15:54 - 06 Apr 2011    Post subject: Unwilling to start after a long break, who knows! Reply with quote

I've had a look around and can't find much helpful advice on the problem i'm having, so though i'd give it a whirl on here Smile

Basically, I've got a 2004 Honda CBR125R that wants to be sold. It's about time I move up in the biking world. However, after a long winter without any use, due to me being away, I came back to find it unwilling to start. Now, i don't exactly know my way around the mechanics of a bike too well, but give me the tools and i'll give anything a go Very Happy

The symptoms:
The bike turns over happily, the battery is perfectly fine, has had a nice trickle charge going.
Occasionally (meaning once every couple of seconds) when turning over, it will fire. Not enough to get it running.
Once or twice, it has actually managed to run after a fair bit of encouragement, however it cut out as soon as i let the revs drop.

(hope i've got the whole 'turn over/fire' etc lingo right, not that experienced Razz)

What I've done so far:
I've checked the spark plug and cleaned it up. Was black-ish on inspection but cleaned up reasonably well without much effort.
Given it some fresh fuel, in case it had gone off or whatever the hell fuel does when you leave it for too long.

From what I can gather on research into it, it may be something to do with the carbs 'gumming'? Or that might be a stupid suggestion, as I said, i'm not the most knowledgeable person on the subject. May have missed something obvious!

Anyways, enough rambling. If you can offer any help whatsoever, it would be much appreciated!

Thanks Smile
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CaNsA
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PostPosted: 16:13 - 06 Apr 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Fresh fuel?
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MarJay
But it's British!



Joined: 15 Sep 2003
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PostPosted: 16:29 - 06 Apr 2011    Post subject: Re: Unwilling to start after a long break, who knows! Reply with quote

Cansa:

Hawke wrote:
.
Given it some fresh fuel, in case it had gone off or whatever the hell fuel does when you leave it for too long.

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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.
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CaNsA
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PostPosted: 16:42 - 06 Apr 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

fair enough Very Happy


lets try,

petrol? not diesel?
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nowhere.elysium
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Joined: 02 Mar 2009
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PostPosted: 16:43 - 06 Apr 2011    Post subject: Re: Unwilling to start after a long break, who knows! Reply with quote

Hawke wrote:

What I've done so far:
I've checked the spark plug and cleaned it up. Was black-ish on inspection but cleaned up reasonably well without much effort.
Given it some fresh fuel, in case it had gone off or whatever the hell fuel does when you leave it for too long.


Well, if it's an iridium plug, that's shagged it out right there: they're uber-sensitive to even the mildest abrasion (presuming you used something rougher than a cloth, of course). New plug should only cost a couple of quid.

Either way, have you checked the spark? remove the plug, plug it back into the HT lead, and them hold the threaded part of it on to any exposed (i.e. unpainted) part of the frame. Turn the engine over. You should get a fat blue spark - if it's anything other, then it wants replacing.

It's also worth testing the HT lead for continuity, and that the coil is still sound, as well. Do you have a multimeter?

If you're intending to clean the carb, as would be the next logical step after checking the air filter, then don't be tempted to jam anything down the jets to unclog them. soak them in petrol overnight, and put them back in on their original setting (either check the service manual, or count how many turns it takes to screw them in fully - be gentle, though: you're dealing with very soft metals there).

:EDIT: - also, have you drained the float bowl? Emptying the tank's all well and good, but it'll still be trying to draw the old fuel out from there, first.
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Hawke
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Joined: 24 Aug 2009
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PostPosted: 17:12 - 06 Apr 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

That's some great advice right there, thanks nowhere Smile

Was sure it was a spark plug problem, made sense, but just tested it like you said and it seems to be sparking fine Shocked ok, so the spark seems white to me and not blue, but that's hardly a game-breaker is it Smile

Air filter first? think that could be an issue? and ah you've bring up a good point, never drained the float bowl...told you i was rookie Wink
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nowhere.elysium
The Pork Lord



Joined: 02 Mar 2009
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PostPosted: 17:50 - 06 Apr 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hawke wrote:

Air filter first? think that could be an issue?


Just worth checking it, to see if it's clean or clogged up with road shite.
White spark should be fine, as long as it's a strong spark.
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